Plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica | Costa Rica Holiday Guide

Did you know that many of the beautiful eastern islands share an aspect with Latin America? It is that they have paradises inside where you can relax wishing that time stops. This time we bring you one of the beautiful warm countries of Central America: Costa Rica. Located between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and with access to the “sea of the Antilles”, the Caribbean Sea. Officially known as the Republic of Costa Rica, this country has a population of more than 5 million inhabitants.

The country of the Ticos and Nicas is one of the most beautiful regions of Central America that you must see, paradisiacal beaches (more than 300), jungles, volcanoes, national parks and many other things that Costa Rica has to offer. Keep reading and learn more about all the ways that will make your trip to this country the best trip!

How to get there

If traveling to Costa Rica is one of your dreams, you must know the available and most popular ways to get there first. There are two main airports in Costa Rica that you can reach from many major cities in the world. Let’s know key information about them:

To travel to the country that connects the two Americas, your best option is the Juan Santamaria International Airport, which is located in the capital San José. The largest number of travelers who visit Costa Rica travel to this airport so it has multiple facilities to receive new visitors (restaurants, ATMs, internet, and more).

Your second-best option is Daniel Oduber International Airport. If you want to travel to the beaches located on the Nicoya Peninsula, this is the ideal airport for you, since it is located in the city of Liberia near the well-known Costa Dorada. This airport was once awarded as the best airport in Latin America, so it is also an excellent option to travel to the country.

Visa Information

To travel to Costa Rica, many countries are exempt from their citizens presenting a visa to enter the country, including countries of America, Europe, part of Asia, and Australia. The general rule is that these citizens need to have a valid passport. To find out whether or not you need a visa to travel to Costa Rica, we recommend that you visit the corresponding consulate in your country.

Best time to visit the country

When planning your trip to Costa Rica, it is good that you ask yourself, “What do I want to do in Costa Rica? Depending on the activities you want to do, different months of the year are ideal.

Here we will describe the most important aspects of the climate in Costa Rica and what you can do there. This country has mainly two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season, and the climate is mostly tropical due to its location.

The rainy season is from May to November. It is a good time to avoid the crowds and explore the jungle and landscapes, and the temperatures reach between 16° and 25°C. On the other hand, the dry season is from December to April, and the temperatures are around 25°C – 30°C. This is an excellent time to visit national parks and beaches, but you can expect to meet crowds and high prices.

Safety

Now, we are going to show you some safety tips that you should keep in mind every time that you travel, and in this case, to Costa Rica. The main recommendation is related to carrying valuable things. Every time you find yourself in a busy place, secure your belongings in a bag, not in your pockets, and do not think about leaving the bag unattended somewhere.

If you do not need your passport, cash, or credit cards, better leave them in a safe in your hotel, and photocopy the pages of your passport that show your personal information and your entry stamp to the country. Finally, if you are on the beach in groups, it is better to take turns swimming and do not leave the bags unattended, or do not bring valuable things.

Budget

Do you want to know how much is it possible to spend on your trip to Costa Rica? Well, here we tell you! For your trip to Costa Rica, you could spend around ₡41,561 ($69) per day. To stay in the country for a week you need ₡290,924 ($482) and for two weeks ₡581,847 ($959). These prices include standard accommodation, meals, tickets for transportation, and entertainment.

Let’s see the things that you can pay with ₡41,561 ($69) per day:

• Hotel or Hostel: ₡23,075 ($38)
• Food: ₡9,613 ($16)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): ₡5,562 ($9)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): ₡10,853 ($18)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: ₡2,400 ($4) – Casado (Typical dish)
• Mid-range restaurant: ₡13,000 ($22) – Three-course meal.
• Soft Drink: ₡903 ($1.50) – 0.33-liter bottle.
• Beer: ₡1,500 ($2.48) – 0.5-liter draught.

Currency

The official currency in Costa Rica is the Colon. One USD is equivalent to 604 Colones. The good news for travelers to Costa Rica is that dollars are accepted everywhere. Just a few things to keep in mind: most stores do not accept $50 or $100 bills, so if you have some, it is best to change them at a bank in the country.

It is also important that you know the local currency; since some stores will probably give you your change in colones. Finally, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted cards in the country.

Interesting facts about the culture

Costa Rica is a tropical country that despite being small (51,100 km2), has an abundant fauna and flora, which sometimes exceeds other larger countries, and which represents 6% of the world’s biodiversity.

Costa Rica is home to more than 34,000 species of insects and 10% of the butterflies in the world. Even according to statistics, forests and jungles represent little more of its total area, which makes it a popular tourist destination among those who love nature.

The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish; however, you will find that many people speak English or Mandarin Chinese as well. In Spanish, they have a popular expression that is “Pura Vida”, which you will hear everywhere!

There is a great variety of Costa Rican dishes, but among the most outstanding are the Casado, the Gallo Pinto, and the Ceviche. The Casado is considered the typical dish of the country. It consists of rice, tomato cabbage and carrot salad, and meat (chicken, beef, or fish).

We are sure that the beautiful nature and friendly people in Costa Rica will welcome you with pleasure in their country, probably saying: ¡Pura Vida!

What to do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a great adventure for all kinds of travelers; it has extreme activities, also relaxing and peaceful. Lush forest, volcanoes, waterfalls, hanging bridges, and beautiful beaches, the only thing you will have to worry about this vacation is the time to be able to do all these activities.

The best activities

• Learn to surf: Costa Rica is one of the famous places for its excellent beaches for surfers; it is one of the most attractive activities. For those people who have never surfed, we recommend that either you take a few lessons per day, or per a weeklong camp, you will not regret it!
• Take a relaxing bath in volcanic and artificial hot springs: The advantage of having an active volcano is that its heat can be used for the hot springs, and Costa Rica has a volcano called Arenal. Immerse yourself in the different hot pools either natural in the adjacent rivers or the tourist complexes for a relaxing bath.
• Sail the rapids: One of the most exciting activities in Costa Rica is rafting, enjoy an exciting adventure in the rivers, keeping the safety parameters we assure you that it will be a great attraction. One of the most popular places to practice this activity is Arenal or on the Pacuare River.
• Go zip line in the jungle: If you are one of those people who like adrenaline, then this is the activity for you. Feel like a swooping bird on the zip line in the middle of the jungle and among the low clouds. The best places to do this activity are Arenal and Monteverde.

Now, if you want to enjoy all the landscapes, plains, monuments, animals, and all the natural and artificial wonders that Costa Rica has to offer, here we also give you a guide to the best places to visit. So, do not wait any longer, come, and have fun in the best way in Costa Rica!

The best places to visit

• San José: The capital of the country, and many places full of culture. Come and fill yourself with history in places like the Jade Museum, the National Museum of Costa Rica, and the Children’s Museum. It also has fun places like the National Amusement Park, La Sabana Park, and many great places.
• Monteverde: One of the cities in Costa Rica with the most beautiful and fun natural resources. Monteverde has a very particular climate, it is a cloud forest with activities such as hiking to explore its surroundings, and you can cross a bridge between clouds and for those more daring a zip line.
• Tamarindo: One of the cities of Costa Rica, coastal of the Pacific Ocean with the most incredible beaches you can imagine. Here you can find places like the National Marine Park, Avellana Beach, or Ventana’s Beach. You will find crystalline and relaxing beaches, places where you can drive ATVs and other activities.
• Arenal Volcano National Park: Beautiful national park with one of the best-known volcanoes in the country. This park has some very incredible and peaceful remote places like some lagoons, hanging bridges with that cloudy environment, and some fun activities like zip-lining or rafting.

How to get around in Costa Rica

Costa Rica´s transportation systems are very efficient; you can get from one place to another without any problem. Buses are the most common and cheapest means of transportation that Costa Ricans use, as it is an excellent system.

Taxis are also a good option if you go in a group, Uber taxis is a system that is in great growth in the country, they are a good option if you do not know where to order a common taxi.
Besides, if you want you can rent a car, it is a bit expensive but it gives you freedom and comfort if you are willing to pay the price. It is also good to know that some areas of the roads are not very well, with precipitous drops and potholes.

How to stay connected in Costa Rica

Stay connected in a foreign country is always necessary. Either because we travel for business or vacations, nowadays we use our phones for everything, from sending and receiving emails, to posting a photo on social networks.

In Costa Rica, the main companies that provide mobile services are Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar. You can get one of their SIM cards at any airport, for just $2 – $5.

Another good option is to order an international SIM card. In this case, we suggest a company called SimOptions, which offers different packages to use in Costa Rica.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rent a car?

It is a good idea if you can afford it.

Which airports can I fly to?

The main airports are the Juan Santamaria International Airport and the Daniel Oduber International Airport.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

The most popular accommodation types are hotels, eco-lodges, and resorts.

How much does a holiday cost?

You can spend around ₡41,561 ($69), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

If you are traveling to Costa Rica, you have to enjoy the beautiful nature, visit the beaches and do some extreme sports.

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